Toxicology, a branch of science once concerned only with poisons for their medical effects and legal con sequences, has undergone in recent years a metamorphosis on a major scale. The general field of toxicology is defined as the qualitative and quantitative study of the injurious effects of chemical agents, as detected by alterations of structure and function in living systems (Murphy and Hayes, 1972). In common with most other disciplines it has benefited from a growing sophistication in research methods and has particularly flourished in the wake of major advances in physiology, biochemistry and the other basic sciences that serve as its foundation. But, beyond this, the new toxicology has developed a particular character, scope and mission, which have completely transformed the old science and given rise to a new coinage-the term environmental toxicology. U.S.U. has been a rather steady participant in this transformation of toxicology through its long-standing research programs and more recent graduate training efforts. The intent in this paper is to examine the new toxicology and U.S.U.\u27s role in it with a view to the future prospects for bot
